Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has stated Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is the best free-kick taker on the planet. Guardiola has worked with Lionel Messi at Barcelona but he believes Ward-Prowse is the best he has ever seen.

Ward-Prowse has transformed 11 direct free-kicks in the last 5 seasons, only Messi has more with 20.

Guardiola informed a press conference on Friday: “There is no much better taker.

“Southampton have the very best free-kick taker I have actually ever seen, or a minimum of he is in the world right now.

“He is so excellent that perhaps you miss a little bit of the footballer player. He is a team gamer of terrific quality, without the ball and with the ball.

“He really comprehends the game however it is his free-kicks, set-pieces, and corners that individuals pay more attention to.”

Guardiola was speaking before his side’s video game against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Premier League leaders Manchester City are looking to make it 13 Premier League wins in a row.